Local resident develops telehealth tool
JUKSKEI PARK – Founder of web app talks motivation behind bright idea.
Victor Makwakwa (26) is the brains behind web application Worlds’ Village.
The young founder based in Jukskei Park first envisioned the means to facilitate online counsel, therapy and healing during his varsity studies.
The Honours in Public Management and Governance graduate both witnessed and experienced the negative effect the tertiary education environment could have on students.
“Mental health is important because it affects every aspect of our lives, the decisions we make and how we react to things. Many people are affected by mental health issues, this then has a ripple effect. Mental health and wellness to some extent is the source of various social ills,” said Makwakwa.
As the eldest of three, Makwakwa recalled his childhood as ‘lovely yet also challenging childhood’.
“Extended family made it easier as there was a lot of love. Challenging in a sense that we kept relocating and once things got stable my mother passed.”
The manifestation of Worlds’ Village coincided with the Board of Healthcare Funders’ welcomed lift on the Health Professions Council of South Africa’s ban on telemedicine early this year.
The Covid-19 pandemic had a negative effect on the mental health of many and Makwakwa said the pandemic had propelled the development of the web application as ‘people could not have normal contact as per usual and thus affected them mentally’.
“Not everyone has access to mental health practitioners because of cost, stigma or other issues.”
Makwakwa’s attributed his idea to his passion for people, interest in social matters and the cause of unexplained behaviours. Technology gave way to a workable solution to reach people from different backgrounds, he said.
He thanked University of Johannesburg students Lyth Brown, Lloyd Radebe, Nicholas Visentin, Faraz Aslam, Kowyn Naidoo and Keenan Moodley for their help, and all the current and future users as ‘this cannot work without buy-in from the people’. In future, Makwakwa wishes to develop Worlds’ Village into an application.
Makwakwa concluded that the youth should observe scripture 1 Corinthians 16:13 which reads: ‘Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.’
Details: Website: www.worldsvillage.co.za
